New data suggest that insect life continues to decline in Kent
The troubling extent of insect declines in Kent has been highlighted once again by the results of the 2025 Bugs Matter citizen science survey published today
Thousands join epic mission to measure the health of insect populations across the UK and Ireland
Since May, an army of citizen scientists has been embarking on a unique mission - counting bug splats on car number plates to help monitor the health of the UK and republic of Ireland’s insect populations.
Bugs Matter citizen science survey finds dramatic decline in flying insects splatted on number plates in Kent
The Bugs Matter survey determined bug splats on number plates have fallen by 67% since the app was launched in 2021. Conservationists describe the outlook for Kent as “seriously concerning” but acknowledge that more data is required to determine long-term trends Bug splats declined 13% from 2023 to 2024, following sharper drops of 51% in 2023 and 27% in 2022. This shows the rate of decline has slowed and it may even flatten or reverse next year.
Citizen scientists across the UK buzzed into action for Bugs Matter this summer
The end of summer saw the conclusion of this year’s national insect survey, Bugs Matter, on 30 September.
Where have all the insects gone? Conservationists’ call to show that Bugs Matter
As the summer holidays begin, the Bugs Matter 2024 survey, led by Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust, is calling on citizen scientists across the UK to participate in this crucial insect population study.
Openreach joins UK-Wide insect biodiversity survey, encouraging other vehicle fleet owners to step up
Openreach, the UK’s largest wholesale broadband provider and the owner of the nation’s second largest commercial van fleet, has today announced its involvement in the 2024 “Bugs Matter” survey. The national citizen science study is organised by Buglife, Europe's largest invertebrate conservation charity, and Kent Wildlife Trust, the county’s leading conservation charity to raise awareness of insect conservation.
Bugs Matter Citizen Science survey shows further falls in Kent insect numbers
The troubling falls in insect numbers in Kent has been highlighted once again by the 2023 Bugs Matter citizen science survey published today. The new report reveals that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 89% since 2004.
The ‘Great British Bug off’: Citizen scientists invited to take part in August challenge and win prizes!
Since June, thousands of dedicated citizen scientists have contributed their time and effort to Bugs Matter – a national citizen science survey from Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife which uses insect splats on number plates as an indicator of insect abundance to better understand how our invertebrate populations are faring.